Enclosure panels

ABSTRACT

A barrier partition made up of a plurality of uniquely configured individual panels that can be readily interconnected in a manner to provide a sturdy and secure barrier. The individual panels that make up the partition can be quickly and inexpensively fabricated and can readily be installed by unskilled workmen using conventional tools.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to fencing enclosures. Moreparticularly, the invention concerns fencing enclosures constructed fromfencing panels of novel design that can be quickly and easily connectedtogether to provide a barrier or enclosure.

2. Discussion of the Prior Art

The prior art is replete with numerous types of fence constructions andbarriers for partitioning of all or part of selected areas. A commontype of prior art fencing, known as chain-link fence, comprises a fenceconstructed of heavy steel wire woven to form a diamond shaped mesh.Typically, lengths of chain-link mesh are supported by longitudinallyspaced-apart galvanized posts that are set in concrete. This type offencing is somewhat difficult and time consuming to install.

Other types of fencing enclosures known in the prior art are constructedof individual panels of mesh wire or other fencing material which coversperipheral frames made of angle iron or the like. In these types offencing enclosures adjoining panels are typically connected by boltingthe edges of the frames together. Such a process is time consuming andlabor intensive and is, consequently, quite expensive. Further, becauseconventional fasteners are used to construct the barrier, the fencedareas may be easily entered if unguarded by simply removing thefasteners with conventional tools.

Prior art U.S. Pat. No. 5,052,846 issued to the present inventor,discloses an improved fencing construction that solves many of theproblems exhibited by the prior art fencing. More particularly, theimproved fencing disclosed in this latter patent includes a fastener forjoining together panels of enclosures having abutting side frames withkeyhole-shaped receptacles adjacent to one another in the abutting sideframes. The fastener comprises a back-plate having a size adapted tocover adjacent keyhole-shaped receptacles in abutting side frames and apair of arms projecting at essentially right angles from the back-plate.Each of the pair of arms are adapted to fit within the smaller portionof the keyhole-shaped receptacles in the abutting side frames, and anenlarged end portion on each of the arms is adapted to fit through thelarger portion of the keyhole-shaped receptacles, but not to fit throughthe smaller portion of the keyhole-shaped receptacles.

Another type of fencing construction is disclosed in Publication U.S.20003/0209701. This Publication, which concerns an application filed byGoddard, discloses a post for assembling and erecting unframed wire meshpartition panels made of crisscrossing vertical and horizontal wires.The post comprises a central channel spanning lengthwise along the post,the central channel being sized to adjustably receive and mount alateral end of a first partition panel. The post further comprises twolateral flanges flanking the central channel and a plurality of spacedhooks disposed along the two lateral flanges for holding and assemblinga second and a third partition panel, the hooks pointing toward thecentral channel and being sized to hold the vertical wire of a lateralend of the second and third partition panels.

The present invention constitutes a significant improvement over priorart fencing by providing a unique construction that substantiallyreduces the cost of installing the fencing barrier or enclosure andsignificantly reduces the time required for installing the enclosure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

By way of summary, one form of the present invention comprises a novelbarrier partition that includes a support column having a base plate andfirst and second opposing sides, each side having a plurality ofgenerally keyhole-shaped connector apertures formed therein.Interconnected with the support column are first and second panelassemblies of unique construction. Each of the panel assemblies includesa connector member and a plurality of vertically spaced connectorelements connected to the connector member for connecting the connectormember to the support column. A plurality of vertically spaced connectorclips are also provided on the connector member for use in connecting awire mesh panel to the connector member. Each of the vertically spacedconnector elements has a shank portion closely receivable within thesmaller portion of the keyhole-shaped connector aperture and an enlargeddiameter head portion closely receivable within the larger portion of aselected one of the keyhole-shaped connector apertures. With this novelconstruction, once the base plate of the support column is bolted, orotherwise affixed to suitable support structure, the barrier panels canbe quickly and easily interconnected with the support column to form thebarrier partition.

With the forgoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention toprovide a barrier partition that comprises a plurality of uniquelyconfigured individual panels that can be readily interconnected in amanner to provide a sturdy and secure barrier.

Another object of the invention is to provide a barrier partition of theaforementioned character in which the individual panels that make up thepartition can be quickly and inexpensively fabricated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a fencing enclosure asdescribed in the preceding paragraphs which can readily be installed byunskilled workmen using conventional tools.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a generally perspective view of one form of the barrierpartition of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged, generally perspective, exploded view of thecentral portion of the barrier partition shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary viewillustrating the connector means of one form of the invention forinterconnecting one of the panels of the barrier partition with thevertical support column.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view, similarto FIG. 3A further illustrating the use of the connector means of theinvention.

FIG. 3C is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view, similarFIG. 3A further illustrating the use of the connector means of theinvention.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged, generally perspective, fragmentary view of thelower portion of one of the vertical support columns illustrating themanner of interconnection of the base plate with the supportingstructure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings, and particularly FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, one formof the partition of the present invention is there shown and generallyidentified by the numeral 14. Partition 14 here comprises a generallytubular-shaped support column 16 having first and second opposing sides16 a and 16 b respectively (FIG. 2). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the firstand second sides of the column each have a plurality of verticallyspaced connector apertures 18 which are generally keyhole-shaped inconfiguration. More particularly, each aperture 18 includes a channelportion 18 a and an enlarged diameter, generally circular-shaped portion18 b (see also FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C).

To enable the support column 16 to be interconnected with a suitablesupport structure “S”, a generally planar, plate-like base 20 isconnected to the lower extremity 22 of the support column by anysuitable means such as welding. Base 20 is preferably provided with aplurality of spaced-apart apertures 23 that are adapted to receiveconventional fasteners, such as expansion bolts 26 for anchoring thebase plate to the supporting structure (FIG. 4).

As illustrated in FIG. 1, interconnected with support column 16 arefirst and second transversely spaced panel assemblies 30 a and 30 b. Inthe present embodiment of the invention, each of the panel assemblies 30a and 30 b comprises a right angle connector member 34 having sides 34 aand 34 b and a wire mesh panel 36 that is connected to connector member34 in a manner next to be described. Connected to leg 34 a of eachconnector member 34 is a plurality of vertically spaced, generally“C”-shaped connector clips 38. Connector clips 38 are uniquelyconstructed and arranged to closely receive and securely capture the endstrand 36 a of the wire mesh panel 36.

To securely interconnect leg 34 b of each of the connector members ofthe panel assemblies 30 a and 30 b with one of the opposing sides of thesupport column 16, a plurality of vertically spaced-apart, connectorelements 40 are connected to each leg 34 b of the connector members 34.As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3A of the drawings, each connector element40 has a head portion 40 a that is closely receivable within enlargeddiameter, generally circular-shaped portion 18 b of a selected one ofconnector apertures 18 of the support column and a shank portion 40 bthat is closely receivable within the channel portion 18 a of a selectedone of the connector apertures of the support column. Head portion 40 ais adapted to fit through the larger portion 18 b of the keyholeaperture but not to fit though the channel portion 18 a thereof (FIG.3C).

In constructing the barrier partition of the present invention, the baseplate 20 of the support column 16 is first affixed to the supportingstructure in a conventional matter. This done, the first panel assembly30 a is connected to the first side 16 a of the support column byinserting the head portion 36 a of each of the connector elements 40 ofthe first panel assembly 30 a into a selected one of the generallycircular-shaped portions 18 b of the connector apertures 18 formed inthe first side 16 a of the support column. A downward movement of thepanel assembly 30 a, as depicted in FIG. 3B, will then cause shankportion 40 b of each of the connector elements to slide downwardly intothe channel portion 18 a of the connector apertures of the first side 16a of the support column so as to securely interconnect the panelassembly 30 a with side 16 a of the support column (FIG. 3C).

With panel assembly 30 a thusly connected to the support column, thesecond panel assembly 30 b is connected to the second side 16 b of thesupport column by inserting the head portion 40 a of each of theconnector elements 40 of the second panel assembly 30 b into a selectedone of the generally circular-shaped portions 18 b of the connectorapertures 18 formed in the second side 16 b of the support column. Adownward movement of a the panel assembly 30 b will then cause shankportion 40 b of each of the connector elements to slide downwardly intothe channel portion 18 a of the connector aperture so as to securelyinterconnect the panel assembly 30 b to side 16 b of the support column.

Having now described the invention in detail in accordance with therequirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in this art will haveno difficulty in making changes and modifications in the individualparts or their relative assembly in order to meet specific requirementsor conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the scope and spirit of the invention, as set forth inthe following claims.

1. A partition comprising: (a) a support column having first and secondopposing sides, said first side having a generally keyhole-shapedconnector aperture formed therein; and (b) a panel assemblyinterconnected with said support column comprising: (i) a connectormember; (ii) a plurality of vertically spaced connector elementsconnected to said connector member for connecting said connector memberto said support column, each said connector element having a shankportion closely receivable within the smaller portion of saidkeyhole-shaped connector aperture and an enlarged diameter head portionclosely receivable within the larger portion of said keyhole-shapedconnector aperture; and (iii) a wire mesh panel connected to saidconnector member.
 2. The partition as defined in claim 1 furtherincluding a base plate connected to said support column.
 3. Thepartition as defined in claim 1 further including a plurality ofvertically spaced connector clips connected to said connector member forconnecting said wire mesh panel to said connector member.
 4. Thepartition as defined in claim 3 in which said connector member comprisesan angle member having generally perpendicularly extending first andsecond sides, said connector elements being connected to said first sideand said connector clips being connected to said second side.
 5. Thepartition as defined in claim 3 in which said support column is tubularin shape.
 6. The partition as defined in claim 3 in which said connectorclips are generally “C”-shaped.
 7. The partition as defined in claim 3in which said second side of said support column has a plurality ofvertically spaced generally keyhole-shaped connector apertures and inwhich said panel assembly further includes a second connector memberconnected to said support column and a second wire mesh panel connectedto said second connector member.
 8. A partition comprising: (a) agenerally tubular-shaped support column having first and second opposingsides, said first side having a plurality of vertically spaced connectorapertures, each aperture including a channel portion and an enlargeddiameter, generally circular-shaped portion; (b) a base plate connectedto said support column; and (c) a panel assembly interconnected withsaid support column, said panel assembly comprising: (i) a connectormember; (ii) a plurality of vertically spaced, connector elementsconnected to said connector member, each said connector element having ahead portion closely receivable within said enlarged diameter, generallycircular-shaped portion of a selected one of said connector apertures ofsaid support column and a shank portion closely receivable within saidchannel portion of a selected one of said connector apertures of saidsupport column; and (iii) a wire mesh panel connected to said connectormember.
 9. The partition as defined in claim 8, further including aplurality of vertically spaced, generally “C”-shaped connector clipsconnected to said connector member for connecting said wire mesh panelto said connector member.
 10. The partition as defined in claim 8 inwhich said connector member comprises an angle member having generallyperpendicularly extending first and second sides, said connectorelements being connected to said first side and said connector clipsbeing connected to said second side.
 11. The partition as defined inclaim 8 in which said second side of said support column has a pluralityof vertically spaced connector apertures, each aperture including achannel portion and an enlarged diameter, generally circular-shapedportion and in which said panel assembly further includes a secondconnector member connected to said support column and a second wire meshpanel connected to said second connector member.
 12. A partitioncomprising: (a) a generally tubular-shaped support column having firstand second opposing sides, said first and second sides each having aplurality of vertically spaced connector apertures, each apertureincluding a channel portion and an enlarged diameter, generallycircular-shaped portion; (b) a base plate connected to said supportcolumn; and (c) first and second panel assemblies interconnected withsaid support column, each said panel assembly comprising: (i) aconnector member connected to said column; (ii) a plurality ofvertically spaced, generally “C”-shaped connector clips connected tosaid connector member; (iii) a plurality of vertically spaced, connectorelements connected to said connector member, each said connector elementhaving a head portion closely receivable within said enlarged diameter,generally circular-shaped portion of a selected one of said connectorapertures of said support column and a shank portion closely receivablewithin said channel portion of a selected one of said connectorapertures of said support column; and (iv) a wire mesh panel connectedto said connector member.
 13. The partition as defined in claim 12 inwhich said connector member comprises an angle member having generallyperpendicularly extending first and second sides, said connectorelements being connected to said first side and said connector clipsbeing connected to said second side.
 14. The partition as defined inclaim 13 in which said wire mesh panels extend generally perpendicularto said first side of said connector member connector member.